JP2003031317A - Socket connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tune fork shaped socket connector guiding a pin and not damaging it when a pin contact is coupled with a tuning fork shaped contact. SOLUTION: The socket connector for a pin connector has a module body provided with a plurality of slots. A plurality of wafers 30 can be attached to the plurality of corresponding slots 42-50 inside the module body and each wafer 30 has a plurality of bent tuning fork shaped contacts 52-60. The module body has a hollow wall part provided with a plurality of wedge shaped protruding parts respectively to the bent tuning fork shaped contacts 52-60 of the wafers 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

TECHNICAL FIELD [001] The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to pin and socket connector systems using tuning fork socket contacts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002] Electrical contacts using a two-piece pin and socket connector system with tuning fork shaped socket contacts have been used in the industry. The difficulty with such contact systems is that the pin contacts often tend to penetrate the root of the tuning fork socket when the pins are not properly straightened. In other words, when the pin and tuning fork socket contact are in the fully mated position, unless the pin is properly straightened, the pin contact is a straight beam that is unsupported and is prone to breakage and damage. . This results in the loss of one pin contact and signal connection, requiring replacement of the pin contact. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for pin and tuning fork pin socket connector systems to prevent or eliminate damage to the pin contacts when the pins are inserted into the mating position through the throat of the tuning fork contacts. There is.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to guide a pin when it is mated with a tuning fork socket contact,
Another object is to provide a pin and tuning fork pin and socket connector system that does not damage the pins.

[004] The present invention provides a pin socket connector having a module body with a plurality of slots. A plurality of wafers can be mounted in corresponding plurality of slots, each wafer having a plurality of bent tuning fork contacts. The module body has a hollow wall with a plurality of wedge-shaped protrusions for each bent tuning fork contact.

[005] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a socket connector for a pin connector including a module body having a plurality of slots. The wafer block can be mounted in a plurality of corresponding slots, and the wafer block has a plurality of bent tuning fork contacts. The module body has a plurality of hollow walls with wedge-shaped protrusions for each bent tuning fork contact.

[006] Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is the following detailed description, which illustrates and describes preferred embodiments of the invention by illustrating the best mode for carrying out the invention. Such explanations will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. As will be appreciated, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Therefore, the drawings and description are for illustration only and not for limitation.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [016] Referring to FIG. 1, a socket-side connector assembly 10 is illustrated. The socket-side connector assembly 10 has two socket connector housing assemblies 20 that are coupled to each other by a connector 25, and each socket connector housing assembly 20 has an insulator module 22. Each of the insulator modules 22 receives a plurality of wafers 30 and is properly secured within the insulator module 22 as described below. The socket connector shown in FIG. 1 is a Winchester Ele.
Although from the Ctronics) 2 mm product line, the principles of the present invention are applicable to any two-piece pin and socket connector system that uses tuning fork socket contacts.

[017] As shown in FIG. 1, each of the insulator modules 22 receives 11 wafers 30. Each wafer has 5 tuning fork shaped contacts and 5 right angle pin contacts, respectively, so that each assembly 20 will form an 11 × 5 matrix with 55 signal contacts. It is understood that any number of signal contacts may be used in the present invention. Moreover, any number of modules 22 may be used. Further, although the invention is illustrated as a right angle connector, the principles of the invention may be used with any type of tuning fork contact.

[018] Further, although the connector assembly 10 is illustrated and described as having a plurality of wafers 30 inserted into the insulator module 22, the plurality of wafers may include an appropriate number of tuning fork shaped contacts. It can be replaced with one large wafer with pin contacts, i.e. a wafer block.

[019] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the wafer assemblies 30 is inserted into the insulator module 22. The insulator module 22 has a plurality of contact windows 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 into which the corresponding pins are inserted and the corresponding tuning fork socket contacts 52, 54, 56, 58, 6 are inserted.
Accepted to 0.

[020] To secure each wafer 30, each wafer has a flexible beam-type retention feature 62 with retention members 66 that fit into corresponding holes 64 in the insulator module 22. .

[021] Referring to FIG. 3, an enlarged perspective view of the wafer 30 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. Each wafer 3
0 has an insulator part 70. Each tuning fork socket contact has a straight portion 100, a bending portion 102 and a coupling portion 104. The coupling portion 104 has opposed V-shaped inclined surfaces 106, each of which has a front inclined surface 1 to facilitate insertion of, for example, a pin into the tuning fork contact 52.
I have 08. The tuning fork contacts are shown in Fig. 3, respectively.
Has a throat defined by opposing beams 120 and 130 as shown in FIG. Beams 120 and 13
0 is connected at the root of the throat section 140.

[022] Tuning fork contacts 52-60
Each of which is electrically connected to corresponding pin connectors 72-80 through housing 70 in a conventional manner.

[023] As shown in FIG. 4, the pin contacts 152, 154 are shown in a mated position. It should be noted that the pin contacts 152, 154 extend beyond the root of the socket contact throat 140. As shown in FIG. 4, the two pin contacts 152, 154 have different lengths. The pin contact 154 is formed on the receiving portion 2 formed in the wafer 30.
It reaches the inside of 54 and is located, for example, in alignment with the openings 42 to 50. As shown in FIG.
4 is long enough to be received in receiving portion 254, while pin 152 is short and not received in receiving portion 252.

[024] The shape of the hollow wall 200 that receives the tuning fork contact is shown in FIG. The hollow wall 200 includes a central wedge-shaped portion 202 and a bent wall 204.
And there is a straight wall 206. Wafer 30 is module 22
The wedge-shaped protrusion 202 extends to near the root of the contact throat 140 when mounted on the pin 152,
When the 154 is inserted into the tuning fork contact, it is prevented from entering the root of the throat 140 of the socket contact 52, 54.

[025] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the wafer 30 showing the bending of the beams 120, 130 of the tuning fork contact. As shown in FIG. 5, the wedge-shaped protrusion 202 on the bent wall 204 fits the bent portion 102 of the beam 120, 130 of the tuning fork contact,
When the pins 152 and 154 are inserted as shown in FIG. 6 so as to engage with the root of the throat 140 so as to come into contact with the root, and even when the pins bend slightly toward the root of the contact throat 140, It prevents entry and prevents deformation.

[026] FIG. 7 shows the insulator module 2
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wafer 30 mounted on the second wafer, including bent portions, contact beams 120 and 130, and wedge-shaped protrusions 20
2 and the hollow portion wall 200 are combined so that the pin contact 152 causes the throat portion 14 of the socket contact 52.
A mechanism is shown to prevent entry into the root of 0.

[027] FIG. 8 shows the insulator module 2
FIG. 2 is another cross-sectional view through the wafer 30 and the pin contact 52, showing the root portion surface of the socket contact 140,
The relationship between the wedge-shaped protrusion 202 of the hollow wall 200 and the tip of the coupling pin contact 152 is shown. Due to these relationships, the pin contact is prevented from entering the root of the throat 140 of the socket contact 52.

[028] It will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention meets all of the above objectives. After reading the above specification, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to make various changes and substitutions in the equivalents of the invention as broadly disclosed herein and in various other aspects. Therefore, the protection granted here is
It is limited only by the definitions contained in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[Brief description of drawings]

[007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation. In the figures of the accompanying drawings, elements having the same reference numeral refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled socket side connector.

[009] FIG. 2 is a development view similar to FIG. 1 with one wafer not attached.

[010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wafer having five tuning fork shaped contacts molded into the wafer body.

[011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wafer shown in the fully attached position and a module with two pin contacts of different lengths.

[012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional rear perspective view of the module showing the wedge-shaped protrusions of the hollow wall.

[013] FIG. 6 is a plan view of one wafer showing the bent shape of the beam of the tuning fork contact.

[014] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wafer mounted on a module, showing how the bent shape, contact beam and wedge-shaped protrusions in the wall of the hollow portion combine to make the pin contacts socket contacts. It illustrates how to provide a means to prevent entry into the root of the throat.

[015] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a module, a wafer, and a pin contact, showing the relationship between the surface of the socket contact root portion, the wedge-shaped protrusion of the wall of the hollow portion, and the tip end portion of the pin contact that is joined. There is.

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5E021 FA05 FA10 FA14 FA16 FC07                       FC31 JA11 JA20

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A module body having a plurality of slots;
A plurality of wafers each of which is attachable to each of the plurality of slots and has a plurality of bent tuning fork-shaped contacts; and the module body is attached to each of the bent tuning fork-shaped contacts. On the other hand, a socket connector for a pin connector, which has a hollow wall provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped protrusions. 2. The socket connector according to claim 1, wherein the wafer has a plurality of pin receiving portions for receiving end portions of corresponding pins. 3. The module main body has an opening corresponding to each slot, and the wafer has a holding member that engages with the opening of the module main body. Socket connector. 4. The socket connector according to claim 3, wherein the holding member is a flexible beam holding mechanism. 5. The socket connector according to claim 1, wherein the bent tuning-fork contact comprises two beams joined at the root of the throat portion of the tuning-fork contact. 6. The socket connector according to claim 5, wherein the wedge-shaped protrusion extends up to near the root of the bent tuning fork-shaped contact. 7. The socket connector of claim 5, wherein the beam has opposed mating V-shaped beveled ends. 8. The socket connector according to claim 6, wherein the wafer has a plurality of pin receiving portions for receiving the ends of the corresponding pins. 9. The socket connector according to claim 8, wherein the end portion can extend beyond the root of the bent tuning fork contact. 10. A module body having a plurality of slots and a plurality of hollow part walls provided with wedge-shaped protrusions, and the module body can be attached to the corresponding plurality of slots, each of which interacts with the protrusion. A socket connector for a pin connector, comprising a wafer block having a plurality of bent tuning fork contacts. 11. The socket connector according to claim 10, wherein the wafer block has a plurality of pin receiving portions for receiving end portions of corresponding pins. 12. The module main body has an opening corresponding to each slot, and the wafer has a holding member that engages with the opening of the module main body. Socket connector. 13. The socket connector according to claim 12, wherein the holding member is a flexible beam holding mechanism. 14. The bent tuning fork contact comprises:
11. The socket connector according to claim 10, wherein the socket connector comprises two beams joined at the root of the throat portion of the tuning fork-shaped contact. 15. The socket connector according to claim 14, wherein the wedge-shaped protrusion extends up to near the root of the bent tuning fork-shaped contact. 16. The socket connector of claim 14, wherein the beam has opposing mating V-shaped beveled ends. 17. The socket connector according to claim 15, wherein the wafer has a plurality of pin receiving portions for receiving the ends of the corresponding pins. 18. The socket connector of claim 17, wherein the end portion is capable of extending beyond the root of the bent tuning fork contact.